Friday, November 27, 2015

Colorado Springs shooter in custody: 3 dead and 9 wounded

Police have captured a suspect accused of opening fire inside a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic. Two civilians and one police officer were killed Friday during the five-hour standoff in Colorado Springs.

The University of Colorado in Colorado Springs police department identified the police officer killed as 44-year-old Garrett Swasey. Swasey was a six-year veteran of the university police force.

"UCCS is working with Officer Swasey’s family and continues to support the Colorado Springs Police Department at the shooting scene," said university chancellor Pam Shockley Zalabak in the statement.

Police officials confirmed that nine other people, including five police officers, were shot and are in good condition.

“There is a huge crime scene that has to be processed and we have to determine how many victims there are," Mayor John Suthers told reporters this evening.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper released the following statement: “We hold the Colorado Springs community in our thoughts and prayers. The bravery and courage of local law enforcement officers have prevented a dire situation from being far worse, and we are all grateful. We are in contact with Mayor Suthers. All state Public Safety resources are at the ready, if and when needed.”

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains CEO Vicki Cowart says she has no reason to believe that their Colorado Springs facility would be targeted by a gunman.

"We don't yet know the full circumstances and motives behind this criminal action, and we don't yet know if Planned Parenthood was in fact the target of this attack.

"We share the concerns of many Americans that extremists are creating a poisonous environment that feeds domestic terrorism in this country. We will never back away from providing care in a safe, supportive environment that millions of people rely on and trust," Cowart said.